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Take Our 2025 Mental Health Survey

BTS Requests Your Participation in Online Survey

to Explore Mental Health Needs in a Changing Industry

The BTS Mental Health Initiative was launched in 2019 with an industry-wide survey the results of which guided the development of the tools and resources currently available. The entertainment industry has experienced major changes over the ensuing years including a global pandemic, weather related catastrophes, strikes and work slow-downs, and changing business models, so it’s time to once again ask you what initiatives would support your mental health and wellbeing.

The BTS Mental Health Initiative has done extensive work in the areas of suicide prevention, bullying and harassment, alcohol and substance misuse, finding qualified therapists, providing easy to navigate resources, Mental Health First Aid training, and reducing stigma.

Work has recently been started on initiatives to help people improve their communication skills and to assist them in exploring career expansion or transitions to new careers when work is not plentiful enough.

Your response to the 2025 survey (btslink.org/survey) will guide the development of new tools and resources to meet your needs as you navigate a rapidly changing industry.

We seek to reach a wide and diverse group of respondents with this survey. Please help us reach as many people as possible by forwarding this survey to your co-workers and colleagues. All information will be reviewed and published only in aggregate and will not include any information that identifies any individual participant. All responses will be kept private and confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Take the survey today!
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The 2025 LRLR – The Salt Lake Sidewinder

The 2025 Long Reach Long Riders - The Salt Lake Sidewinder

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The Long Reach Long Riders are trading in Appalachian folklore for wide open skies and jaw-dropping landscapes! After last year’s spooky ride through the hollers of West Virginia, LRLR is cranking up the throttle and heading west for their 22nd annual charity motorcycle ride — The Salt Lake Sidewinder — happening June 14–21, 2025.

This year’s ride promises high adventure through the rugged beauty of the American West, all in support of a great cause: Behind the Scenes, the vital charity that supports entertainment professionals in times of need.

 

Starting just outside Salt Lake City, riders will twist and turn their way through some of the most breathtaking and iconic spots in the country, including:

  • The legendary Oregon Trail
  • Craters of the Moon National Monument
  • Grand Teton National Park
  • The shimmering blue of Bear Lake
  • Flaming Gorge Dam
  • And the wild Dinosaur National Monument

But it’s more than just incredible roads and epic views — it’s a week of camaraderie, storytelling, laughter, and giving back. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or brand new to group rides, LRLR welcomes you with open arms. Each ride day covers an average of 250 miles, and you can join for the full week or hop in for a day or two. No pressure, just pure adventure!

Evenings are for kicking back with new friends, swapping stories at the hotel, and enjoying a rotating menu of meals that are as satisfying as the scenery. And of course, safety comes first: we travel with support vehicles to ensure everyone’s taken care of.

Want in on the action? Visit www.LRLR.org to register or learn more.

Ride with purpose. Ride with heart. Ride with us.

Click here to support a rider today!
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ETC Makes Pledge- of-Support Donation to BTS at USITT

ETC Makes Pledge- of-Support Donation to Behind the Scenes at USITT

ETC presented Behind the Scenes with a check for $23,450 at this year’s USITT Conference and Tradeshow representing the recent proceeds from sales of the company’s iRFR and aRFR (Radio Focus Remote) app. Since the launch in 2009, ETC’s mobile app sales have generated over $585,000 in donations to the charity.

The iRFR and aRFR mobile apps enable convenient, touchscreen-based remote control for Eos family consoles and controllers. You can learn more about the apps from the ETC website and download them from the iTunes or Google Play stores. 

Sarah Danke, ETC’s Vice President of Marketing said, “ETC is honored to support this incredible organization who help to fund medical and mental health care to those who dedicate their lives to our industry. It’s inspiring to see how an idea from one of our employee-owners to donate the proceeds from these apps has grown into a contribution of over half a million dollars. That is truly remarkable. We also want to extend our gratitude to everyone who continues to purchase the apps—you’re helping make this impact possible!”

Tobin Neis accepted the check on behalf of the Behind the Scenes Board of Directors. Tobin commented, “BTS is immensely grateful to the employee owners of ETC for their generosity in donating the proceeds from the iRFR and aRFR apps purchased by ETC control users world-wide. Their donations will help to launch BTS into its 20th year of service continuing support for our colleagues in need through Basic Needs and Counseling Grants and the BTS Mental Health Initiative.”

Learn more about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity.

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Quarterly Bystander Intervention Webinars

Learn How to Safely Intervene to Stop Workplace Bullying

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The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative is partnering with the social justice organization Right to Be in offering free, virtual webinars training entertainment industry professionals to safely intervene during instances of bullying or harassment in the workplace. The 2024-2025 Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry webinars will be held on October 20th, January 27th, April 27th and July 28th. The webinars, sponsored by the IATSE, are free but pre-registration is required at btshelp.org/bystander.

Do you know how to safely intervene if you see a co-worker being bullied or intimidated? Did you know there are different ways to intervene to match your comfort level? In just ninety minutes you can learn about five easily accessible tools and get real life examples to use in any workplace to safely intervene without worrying about retaliation.

Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry is offered through the Mental Health Initiative’s Stop Bullying campaign. The campaign was launched 2021 in response to bullying, harassment, and intimidation being common workplace stressors throughout the entertainment industry. Attendees of the webinars leave the trainings equipped to safely intervene using the tools they have learned if they witness disrespect or harassment at work.

The Stop Bullying campaign also provides additional resources to assist industry professionals in reducing harassment and intimidation in the workplace. These resources include a poster to raise awareness of words, actions and behaviors that constitute bullying; information for those who are targets of, or bystanders to bullying behavior; information to empower individuals to Be Informed, Be Aware, Show Support, and Take Action; and a sample policy and procedures to identify, investigate and resolve instances of bullying, harassment or intimidation and to provide support to those who experience these behaviors.

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Become a Certified Mental Health First Aider

Make a Difference in 2025
Become a Certified Mental Health First Aider!

Mental Health First Aid Training Classes are posted monthly on the Behind the Scenes website at btshelp.org/mhfa. Do you know how to respond if you see someone who is deeply depressed, having a anxiety attack, or showing signs of alcoholism? Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations with someone you are worried about by teaching you how to recognize the signs and symptoms, how to listen non judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer that person to appropriate professional support and services.

The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a 2 hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to the second part which is a 6 hour virtual live instructor led session. Go to btshelp.org/mhfa to learn more and to select the date and time you wish to attend the virtual live session. Upon completing the course you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider which is valid for three years.

The registration fee is $125. IATSE Members and those working under IATSE agreements may be eligible for Training Trust Fund reimbursement upon proof of successful completion of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement. Private group classes of 10 -25 are available – contact [email protected] for information. Training for Canadians is available through the AFC at https://afchelps.ca/mhfa.

You’ll learn about the risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems including information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance use; the 5-step ALGEE action plan to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis, and the available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help resources.

Make 2025 the year you took an active role in helping to care for those you work with. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skill sets by learning how to identify, understand and respond to signs of distress in your colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces for all. Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources.

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BTS Seeks Therapist Recommendations

BTS Seeks Therapist Recommendations for the
Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder

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In Fall 2019, the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative conducted an online survey to better gauge the mental health needs of entertainment industry members. BTS received an unprecedented response highlighting their experience and a common complaint was how difficult it is to find a therapist who knows anything about the entertainment industry’s unique culture, rigors and stressors.

In response, BTS created the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder (EITF) specifically for our community of industry colleagues. The Finder only includes mental health professionals who have personal experience in our industry and/or have worked with entertainment industry professionals and are familiar with their unique pressures.

To make this program an even more valuable resource for the industry, we need your help. If you or a family member know of a mental health professional you think will add value to the Finder, please send their name and email to [email protected] and BTS will provide them with information and sign-up details.

Mental health professionals who register with the EITF will complete a questionnaire that includes areas of specialty, payment/fees (sliding scale and insurance), and virtual or in-person sessions. This ensures those seeking counseling find the best possible match for their needs.

To access the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder go to btshelp.org/findatherapist. Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources in our Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative.

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Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace Webinar

Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace
Why and How We Should Help

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative announces a new webinar Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace: Why and How We Should Help.

We have all come across a situation where someone you worked with showed clear signs of problematic use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace. Have you wondered why you might want to help – and how you could help? Have you wondered if you have obligations based on your position? This webinar, developed by our Substance Use Task Group, will provide answers to some of these questions and help prepare you to take positive action.

Substance misuse has reached epidemic proportions in our society and in our industry. If you haven’t already, it’s very likely you will encounter someone with this problem in your workplace – it could be anyone: a co-worker, a manager, someone who reports to you.

  • Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms?
  • Do you know why you should start a conversation with them and how to do so?
  • Do you know the resources and treatment options available?

This interactive webinar, developed by industry professionals with lived experience and an addiction specialist, offers tips and tools to assist you in responding to this situation.

Topics include:

  • Why you should help
  • What is addiction and how to recognize the signs and symptoms
  • Having a conversation with the person you are concerned about
  • Following up with treatment options and industry resources
  • What if the person doesn’t want to stop?
  • Brief overview of union and employer obligations

The webinar will be held on Monday, February 10th at 7pm EST. Please register in advance to be sent the login link at btshelp.org/workplace.

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BTS Seeks 2025 Holiday Card Designers

Behind the Scenes is Seeking Designers for Holiday Cards

Behind the Scenes holiday cards make a difference – and you can too! The cards have become a tradition in the industry for those who want to spread holiday cheer while supporting their colleagues who are seriously ill or injured or in need of mental health support. Each year designs have been created and donated to the charity by everyone from Tony Award winners to high school design students.

Behind the Scenes is seeking designers for their 2025 cards. The design guidelines are very simple and you can also view previous examples of the holiday cards. If you are interested in designing a card, Behind the Scenes will need your commitment no later than May 15th and your artwork by June 15th. Please contact us at [email protected] or 212-244-1421 Ext. 3.

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The LRLR Raffle and BTS at USITT 2025

The LRLR Raffle to Support Behind the Scenes at USITT

The Long Reach Long Riders and Behind the Scenes will host their annual fundraising raffle at the USITT Conference March 5-8 in Columbus, OH. The Long Reach Long Riders, who have raised over $1,000,000 for charity in their decades of holding annual motorcycle rides, will be riding June 14-21 through Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado on the “Salt Lake Sidewinder Ride.”

Tickets for the raffle are an affordable $5 each or 5 for $20 and can be purchased at the Behind the Scenes booth #305A (across from ETC) throughout the show. Winning tickets for nine regular prizes and one grand prize will be drawn at 1pm on Saturday, the final day of Stage Expo.

The prizes, provided by our generous donors, are: Grand Prize, Spotlight Annual Subscription from Vectorworks; Ghostlight from Altman Lighting; a $250 cash gift card from Barbizon; Event Safety Summit 2025 Registration from the Event Safety Alliance; Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother from IA Stage; ETCNomad Education Edition with Gadget II from Musson Theatrical; $250 Gift Certificate from Sapsis Rigging; a Full Conference Pass to ESTA’s 2025 Midwest Rigging Intensive from ESTA; USITT 2026 Full Conference Registration from USITT, and a $250 Gift Voucher to Production Advantage Powered by VLS from Vincent Lighting Systems.

The Behind the Scenes Boutique will also be open for business during the show featuring a Buy One, Get One 50% off promotion on all our clothing and holiday cards in celebration of our 20th anniversary year.

The booth will feature the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative which provides tools and resources to support entertainment industry workers and promote mental health and well-being. Brief presentations highlighting Mental Health Tools and Resources, an Intro to Mental Health First Aid, and an Intro to Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry will be offered twice daily during show hours on Thursday and Friday. Posters with information on suicide prevention, bullying and harassment, alcohol and substance abuse, and more will be available in booth #305A through the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative.

For more information about the Long Reach Long Riders, visit lrlr.org.

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20th Anniversary Boutique Sale and Mental Health at USITT 25

20th Anniversary Boutique Sale and
Mental Health Presentations at USITT

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Join Behind the Scenes at the 2025 USITT Conference and Tradeshow from March 6th to March 8th in Columbus, Ohio. The charity, in booth #305A on the show floor, will offer a Buy One, Get One 50% Off promotion on all classic Behind the Scenes apparel, including jackets, fleece, hoodies, shirts, polos, t-shirts, and more. The BOGO deal also applies to BTS holiday cards, so be sure to stock up for future celebrations! Don’t miss your chance to purchase all limited-edition BTS swag.

Additionally, Behind the Scenes will offer brief presentations highlighting their Mental Health Initiative and related trainings. Presentations will include an Overview of Mental Health Tools and Resources, an Intro to Mental Health First Aid, and an Intro to Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry. Each presentation will last about 15 minutes and be offered twice daily during show hours on Thursday and Friday. Descriptions of the presentations can be seen below.

Overview of Mental Health Tools and Resources
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative, outlining the tools and resources available to support mental and emotional well-being in the entertainment industry. This includes information on suicide prevention, alcohol and substance use, anxiety and depression, and bullying/harassment/intimidation. Resources include sample language to talk about mental health with crew, the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder, and training in bystander intervention, dealing with substance use in the workplace, and Mental Health First Aid.

Intro to Mental Health First Aid
Do you know how to respond if you see someone who is depressed, having a anxiety attack, or showing signs of alcoholism or substance use? Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related issue. The presentation explains what Mental Health First Aid is, what you will learn in the training and how to register for a class.

Intro to Bystander Intervention for Bullying and Harassment
Do you know how to safely intervene if you see a friend or co-worker being bullied or intimidated? Did you know there are different ways to intervene to match your comfort level This session will introduce you to the 5Ds of Bystander Intervention developed by RightToBe and explain what you can learn in the free webinar offered quarterly by Behind the Scenes.

Take this opportunity to join BTS in booth #305A to both learn about essential mental health resources and enjoy exclusive anniversary deals, all in one place.